Sorry Oskar, wish I could offer solutions but I can't entirely think clearly right now due to being tired. My post was just to point out a few of the problems, that's all. Opinions were wanted, so it's what I gave. I'm afraid creating solutions to these aren't my strong suit but I'll try:
On the thing about multiple linkshells if there was a way to try more diverse themes rather than falling back on the same one time and time again then it might help. Again like I said the mercenary approach seems to be a pretty popular one. And given the state of the realm is in the midst of a war it isn't too far fetched to follow this route. A few linkshells I know tried to stray from it but didn't really appear to make the cut. I suppose the best approach might be to create a poll asking what the community is most interested in, what type of shell would appeal to them the most. From there, one can get a better grasp at what may bring in the most members. Maybe two shells with similar interests can form a negotiation on their rules/view on lore then merge into one another. It's a give/take relationship.
Now with small community shells this could be tough. Getting past our comfort zones and interacting with a wider array of RPers is quite possibly the best way. Like I said people are more open to accepting certain things than they did at launch so if we can find ways to work together on this it may make it easier to get along with each other. As for helping even giving a "Sorry I'm doing this right now." response would mean a lot. Make an effort to at least show you heard the person and respond. The time someone wastes waiting for a reply could be better spent finding another party, or coming up with a different activity to do. One shell could have 30+ members active at any given time and maybe only 3 will respond. What about the other 27 people? Are they all just AFK? Expressing interest in what others around us are doing or coming to their aid is what builds a stronger community.
Hope these responses help more. If not I'm sorry. I think I'm going to bed now before I faceplant on my keyboard.
On the thing about multiple linkshells if there was a way to try more diverse themes rather than falling back on the same one time and time again then it might help. Again like I said the mercenary approach seems to be a pretty popular one. And given the state of the realm is in the midst of a war it isn't too far fetched to follow this route. A few linkshells I know tried to stray from it but didn't really appear to make the cut. I suppose the best approach might be to create a poll asking what the community is most interested in, what type of shell would appeal to them the most. From there, one can get a better grasp at what may bring in the most members. Maybe two shells with similar interests can form a negotiation on their rules/view on lore then merge into one another. It's a give/take relationship.
Now with small community shells this could be tough. Getting past our comfort zones and interacting with a wider array of RPers is quite possibly the best way. Like I said people are more open to accepting certain things than they did at launch so if we can find ways to work together on this it may make it easier to get along with each other. As for helping even giving a "Sorry I'm doing this right now." response would mean a lot. Make an effort to at least show you heard the person and respond. The time someone wastes waiting for a reply could be better spent finding another party, or coming up with a different activity to do. One shell could have 30+ members active at any given time and maybe only 3 will respond. What about the other 27 people? Are they all just AFK? Expressing interest in what others around us are doing or coming to their aid is what builds a stronger community.
Hope these responses help more. If not I'm sorry. I think I'm going to bed now before I faceplant on my keyboard.
![[Image: 667415.png]](http://common.zam.com/xivsigs/667415.png)
